Mel C has always had mixed feelings about the upcoming Spice Girls reunion, even long after deciding to set this one out.

The band – which also consists of Mel B, Geri Horner and Emma Burton – is set to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2017. As the date gets closer, the singer worries about potentially letting fans down due to her decision.

While she didn’t want to feel pressured, Mel C hopes that everything goes well and people are not left disappointed. She explained to Grazia magazine: “At the start of the year, I was in limbo. I’d been working on a solo album but the Spice Girls’ 20th anniversary was looming and we’d talked about doing something to celebrate.

Choosing between the two was a really hard decision to make. Financially I’d have done really well out of a reunion, but more importantly, I didn’t want to let the girls or our fanbase down.

These days, people who were fans at a very young age approach me all the time and tell me we inspired them in their careers or gave them the confidence to come out as gay.

We were such a big part of so many people’s childhoods and that’s the thing I’m most proud of.”

Mel C further explained that Victoria Beckham contributed to her final decision, adding: “At the same time, I had concerns about Victoria not being involved and started having second thoughts.

When I’m a solo artist, my life is my own but when you become part of the group again, it’s much higher profile.

You become part of something you can’t control. In the past, I haven’t always enjoyed that level of pressure and exposure.

One day I woke up and realised I couldn’t do it. First I called Emma, who has always been my closest friend in the band, then I told the others.”

Some are still hoping that she would change her mind, but the singer insists her decision is final.